Transportation

Geography

Historical Background

Identified Hazards

Issues

Maps

Lewis County has five incorporated communities: Craigmont (pop. 556), Kamiah (1,160), Nez Perce (523), Reubens (72), and Winchester (308). The total population for the county in 2000 was 3,747. That is an increase of 7% since 1990.

Lewis County also includes the Nez Perce Tribal Reservation that covers most of the county. 

Transportation

Geography

Land Area: 480 square miles.

Historical Background

Established March 3, 1911 with its county seat at Nez Perce. Named for Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The Nez Perce Indians made this area their home and knew no whites until the Lewis and Clark expedition, the expedition spent a month in the Clearwater River Valley near the town of Kamiah on the return from the Pacific coast in May 1806.

County Seat: Nez Perce

Wildland Fire - 8-9/2000

Event Summary:    $1,000,000,000.00 - Over 1,541 fires burned in Idaho in 2000, scorching over 7 million acres.  A federal disaster declaration was declared on September 1, 2000 .  Several times DEQ issued air quality advisories due to intense smoke; air cleaners and fans were sent to Salmon on August 21, 2000 .  Over 3 million acres of public and state lands were closed, including more than 2,000 miles of trails, 80 miles of river, and nearly all public airstrips.  The Salmon River was closed for 26 days, affecting  4,000 outfitter floaters, 2300 private floaters, and 140 commercial jet boaters, resulting in lost income and employment for local communities.  13 fires caused evacuations of 14-16 locations,  109 structures were destroyed.  Critical wildlife habitat was destroyed.

County Summary: 

Flood - New Year's Day Storm -  January 1-5, 1997

Event Summary:    $65,000,000.00 - New Year's day floods in the Weiser, Payette and Salmon River drainages of southwestern Idaho caused record flooding and numerous mudslides.  Warm temperatures combined with a rainfall 4-6 times the normal amount; the resulting snowmelt triggered devastating floods, mudslides and avalanches, extensively damaging communities and infrastructure  throughout Idaho .  The community of South Banks was condemned because of extensive slide damage.  Over 400 miles of roads and several railroad lines were blocked or destroyed, stranding over 10,000 holiday travelers in western Idaho . Residents of McCall, Cascade, Banks, Lowman and Garden Valley were isolated.  Rivers were "running like chocolate," carrying huge trees, mud and boulders; the Snake River at Hells Canyon Dam crested at 101,728 cfs January  1, nearly 30,000 cfs over its previous record level on  2/23/82 .  The crash of a plane carrying 5 people from Boise to McCall, killing all, was a result of the weather.  Governor Batt declared 13 counties a disaster: Gem, Adams, Washington, Idaho, Clearwater, Valley, Payette, Elmore, Latah, Boundary, Bonner, Shoshone and Boise.  A Federal disaster was declared on  January 4, 1997 .

County Summary: Idaho 64 was closed for over 9 months after floods washed out a section of Idaho 64.

Idaho Transportation Department.

Severe Weather - 1/5-16/1989

Event Summary:   A large storm ripped through the north central Idaho creating hazardous road conditions after it dumped several inches of snow mixed with great wind.

County Summary: Highway 64 was closed from Nez Perce to Kamiah because of blowing and drifting snow.

Lewiston Morning Tribune 16 Jan 89

Landslide - March 4, 1986

Event Summary:  Following snowmelt and flooding in February, further landslides hit  Idaho .

County Summary: 

Drought - Aug 1984

Event Summary:   Disaster declaration for crop damage.

County Summary: Disaster declaration for crop damage from drought and a hailstorm in August.

Idaho Statesman 7 April 1985

Flood -  2/7/1979

Event Summary:   Melting snow flooded several counties in North Idaho .  Many roads were washed out.  Schools were shut down. Families were evacuated.

County Summary: Lewis County suffered minor slides on roads after the storm.  Lindsay creek flooded parts of Lewiston .  Tammany Creek washed out Tammany Creek Road.  Mostly just a nuisance~ minimal damage.

Lewiston Morning Tribune 8, 14 Feb 79

Flood - 1/15/1974

Event Summary:    $116,000,000.00 - Flood waters isolated much of the Coeur d'Alene mining district.  The waters burst dams, blocked major roadways and forced evacuation of at least 1,000 persons.  About $65 million in damages. Shoshone and Benewah hardest hit. $9.5 million in damage to road systems.  $51.4 million in damage to private property. Governor Andrus declared the counties  disaster areas.  More than 30 bridges were destroyed in 3 counties.

County Summary: Mudslide in Kamiah blocked Highway 12.

Lewiston Morning Tribune 18 Jan 74

Severe Weather -  1/3/1969

Event Summary:   Sixteen snow slides were reported in North Idaho closing many highways.  An ice jam formed on the Clearwater River near Kamiah.  Flights were canceled in Lewiston due to the weather conditions.  A section of railroad was washed out and restricted motor vehicle travel was reported due to slides. Most schools were closed.  Snow along with 35-mile an hour winds, was blamed for power outages in Moscow , Potlatch, Troy , Deary, and Bovill.

County Summary: An ice jam formed on the Clearwater River at the mouth of Six Mile Creek, near Kamiah.

Lewiston Morning Tribune 4 Jan 69

Flood - 6/12-17/1950

Event Summary:    $1,000,000.00 - Flooding in Northern Idaho . A cloudburst caused flooding in the Lewiston area.

County Summary: Some spring grain was lost near Winchester .

Lewiston Morning Tribune 15 June 50

Flood - 5/23-6/5/1948

Event Summary: The 1948 flood was caused by abnormal snowmelt augmented by rainstorms the latter part of May and in June.  The floods caused contamination of the water system, which left residents without drinking water. Over $3,700,000 damage to roads and highways. $30 Million damage to crops.

County Summary: 2 feet of water on Main Street of Nezperce, caused considerable damage to stores and basements.  Big Canyon creek took out road from Peck to Lewis & Clark highway. Flood Emergency Declared

Lewiston Morning Tribune

Identified Hazards ( Most likely to occur & greatest impact)

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